Texas Derby win could speak volumes in Dynamo coaching decision

Like everyone else in the Dynamo organization, Wade Barrett experienced a whirlwind of emotions last week.

It began like any other, but got turned upside down with the departure of head coach Owen Coyle. The next morning, the club had to fly to Canada with only two training sessions to prepare for its next game.

Still officially an assistant coach, Barrett took the reigns and led the team to its first road point in seven tries this season.

Everything has settled down this week, but Barrett still is in the same situation - acting as the interim coach without being named the interim coach.

Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan said Tuesday the team is still exploring coaching options but is likely to name an interim coach between Thursday's game at FC Dallas and a home game June 18.

Barrett hopes to be that interim coach, which means the season's second Texas Derby is a grand opportunity to show what he can do.

The Dynamo (3-7-3) defeated their rivals 5-0 on March 12 in Houston. Since then, the teams have gone in opposite directions. FC Dallas (8-4-3) is comfortably in second place in the Western Conference - one point shy of Colorado in the Supporters Shield standings. The Dynamo, meanwhile, remain in last place.

Barrett is an original Dynamo player and former captain who helped the club win the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cups titles. He was in Houston for the first news conference, assisted on the first goal and played in every game except for one during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

When he retired in 2010, he became an assistant coach under Dominic Kinnear.

More Information

Dynamo update

May 28: Dynamo 1, Vancouver 1.

Record: 3-7-3.

Today: At Dallas, 8 p.m.

TV/radio: Root; 650 AM, 1010 AM (Spanish).

"I feel, almost more than anybody, that this is my team," Barrett said. "I have been at every single training session, short of when I had my twins and when my dad got sick with cancer. I have been here every single day. It is in my blood."

A victory Thursday would carry a lot of weight, but if it doesn't happen, Barrett will have something else significant on his side - the overwhelming support of the players.

Several players praised Barrett's direction in the aftermath of last week's draw against Vancouver. They said he had a clear plan and got them to execute it.

They gave up a lead against Vancouver but kept trying to push forward and never conceded a second goal.

"We stuck to the game plan," defender DaMarcus Beasley said. "Even when they got the tying goal, it would have been easy to go back in our shell. We needed to stay the course and keep playing the way we play, have confidence in the way we play. That's what we needed. Wade gave us that."

Barrett stressed this week that while he hopes officially to be put in charge of the team in the near future, his sole focus is on preparing it for FC Dallas.

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"It would mean a lot, but at the same time, I know the president. I know the owners are going to make a decision based on what they think is best for the team," Barrett said. "So long as they have that in mind - and I know they do - there will not be a wrong decision."